Not Your Typical Stage Moms (and Dads)

This is the third article in a series about Wilton Children’s Theater, in the days leading up to their fall production of Disney’s Camp Rock. The show couldn’t go on without the dedicated parents who volunteer countless hours to make sure the community gets to enjoy some entertaining fun from some very talented Wilton children. We take a look at what they do to make the theater come alive.

Sure, those amazing actors and actresses onstage of every Wilton Children’s Theater (WCT) show get the applause, but did you know that behind the scenes are some incredibly dedicated Wilton moms and dads who give many hours to help to put it all together?

They Do it All!

For each production of a WCT show, the producers assign each cast member’s parent to a committee – a committee may be responsible for ticket sales, makeup, props, costumes, sets, show program, intermission snack sales, or even feeding the crew during dress rehearsal week! No special skills are needed; committees are led by WCT volunteer board members and they work together throughout the 10-week rehearsal season to build, paint, organize, gather, cook and do everything else needed to support the cast.

Many volunteers praise their experiences as fun a way to meet other parents and learn new skills, and as a fantastic opportunity to spend time with their children and watch them interact with their friends.

No Talent Required

Gina Jansen, costumes committee co-chair for this fall’s production of Disney’s Camp Rock, has had a ball gathering “rock and roll” clothing for the cast. “Whenever my friends hear that I am co-chairing the costumes committee the first thing they say is, “I didn’t know you knew how to sew!” laughs Jansen.

“Contrary to popular belief, sewing is not required,” Jansen explains. “All it takes is a bit of creativity and a vision about the look of the cast on stage. I have really enjoyed working backstage with my co-chair, Andrea Bates, and with the cast members. There is a lot of energy, enthusiasm and excitement generated when the cast tries on their costumes for the first time, and it lasts all the way up to opening night.

She also enjoys how collaborative it is with the children in the cast.

“Many of the kids come in with their own ideas on how to make their costume even better…and most of the time it really works!” Jansen says.

Huge rewards

Jansen’s costumes committee co-chair, agrees.

“Co-chairing costumes this year has been a real eye opener,” Bates says. “I love being at rehearsals and interacting with the kids, seeing the play grow from start to finish, getting the actors’ opinions on what they would wear if they were at a singing and dancing summer camp, and also getting to see my daughter with her friends, and putting her skills to work.  It is so rewarding. It has been a better experience than I ever could have predicted!”

Men and Women in Black

Some cast members’ parents get a really close-up view of the show – from backstage! The sets committee, co-chaired by Melissa Elmasry and Jessica DeLuca, not only works to oversee set building and painting, but also does the heavy lifting backstage during the shows alongside a crew of high school volunteers to position set pieces during scene changes.

This is Elmasry’s second time around for WCT sets committee. She worked on sets 10 years ago when her oldest daughter was part of a WCT cast, and she’s now back again for her current fifth grader.

“Working on the sets committee gives us a wonderful opportunity to be involved with the creative process of the show. You work closely with the show’s director, set builder and producers on the ongoing behind-the-scenes events leading up to the show. The most fun is seeing the finished product on the stage with the kids interacting and using the set during the show. We are so lucky to have high school stage crew assistants that help with the sets during the shows and we couldn’t do any of it without our crew of parent volunteers!” Elmasry says.

The producers credit their hard-working group of Wilton parents, and invite the public to see the onstage dedication of not just the kids but their families too, when Disney’s Camp Rock is onstage at Middlebrook Auditorium on November 21, 22 and 23! Visit the Wilton Children’s Theater website for details on showtimes and how to purchase tickets.